Louise's Room (Day)

Dominic was powerful, nobody alive or dead could deny this fact. He, along with his Pokemon, were able to equal some of the strongest beings in the world. However, he did have his limits.

"Master, remind me again why I'm doing this." the blonde asked Louise, who was sitting on the bed while he balanced books on his head. When they fell off, Mimikyu and Falinks started snickering from a corner in the room. Since his duel with Guiche, he kept some of his Pokemon out full-time. Among those allowed and/or willing to stay were Mimikyu, Falinks, and Indeedee. Though, the Emotion Pokemon mostly stayed in the kitchen to help Siesta. After everything with Mott, she needed the company.

Obviously, he hadn't told anyone he brutally murdered the Count in 'cold' blood. Thankfully, with the help of Zoroark and Unown, he managed to make it seem like Mott resigned from his position as messenger.

"Because the Familiar Exhibition is in three days. We haven't done any practicing!" Louise explained. At that, Dominic's eye flashed red for a split second. "All the second year students are to display their Familiars and their abilities in front of the whole school."

"So, a performance?" the blonde asked, getting his Pokemon's attention. Mimikyu's eyes became sparkly at the idea of being onstage again. "I might be able to whip something up. Though, training will have to begin today." he said to himself before turning to his partners. "You up for it?"

The Pokemon responded positively, eliciting a smile from their Trainer.

"So, what are you going to do?" Louise asked, not knowing what her familiar was thinking.

"I'm going to do what I do best. Annihilate my opponents in ways they'll never expect." Dominic said with a manic grin. Louise was a bit off-put by his declaration, but chose not to say anything. She had a feeling this unusual behavior could actually benefit her.

She didn't know how right she was in that moment. Or how wrong she was.


Courtyard (Day)

"Okay, time for rehearsal." Dominic said to himself as he brought out a Cherish Ball, a Luxury Ball, and a Beast Ball. "Come on out!" From the Poke Balls came a Pikachu, a Low-Key Toxtricity, and a Blacephalon. "Now, I want you all to look this over." the blonde said as he handed a sheet of paper to each of his Pokemon. He turned to Toxtricity. "You'll be providing background music. If I sang without it, they'd think I'm crazy."

Toxtricity gave it's Trainer a look that seemed to say "Don't you mean 'crazier'?".

"Ha ha." Dominic said sarcastically before turning to the Ultra Beast. "I want you to use Mind Blown at the points I highlighted. If we're beating an honest-to-Palkia dragon, pyrotechnics are a must. I'd do it myself, but I don't feel comfortable displaying my powers to a government I've yet to conquer." he explained before crouching down to Pikachu's level. "You will be singing with me. And before you ask, don't use Sing. I want to wow my audience, not knock them out."

"Pika!" the Mouse Pokemon said, electricity sparking out of it's cheeks.

"I really hope this goes well." Dominic said under his breath.

"Dominic?" a voice said from behind him. Turning around, the Trainer came face-to-face with Siesta. "How are you doing?" she asked as Indeedee walked up behind her.

"Well, if you don't count the throbbing headache, the overwhelming time pressure this Exhibition is exerting, or the deep-seated nihilism, then I'm fine." Dominic said, smiling. It didn't take long for the maid to notice Pikachu. She ran up to it at speeds the monarch couldn't track, which should be impossible, and nuzzled the rodent.

"Who is this little cutie?" Siesta asked as it tickled Pikachu.

"Her name is Pikachu. Also, you may want to let go." Dominic said as Blacephalon and Toxtricity took cover behind him.

"Why?" the girl asked as she continued petting the yellow Pokemon. That is, until she accidentally scratched it in a place it didn't like. The sudden shock, pardon the pun, caused Pikachu to involuntarily use Thunderbolt.

"Because when surprised, Pikachu will unleash enough electricity to incapacitate a fully grown mammoth." Dominic explained with a straight face as electric energy flew around the area. Interestingly, he didn't flinch at all from the lightning. "You okay?"

"Yeah..." Siesta said, a bit dazed. Seeing the damage it caused, Pikachu tried licking her wounds to help alleviate some of the pain. "Aww." the maid said as she hugged the Pokemon again. The mouse didn't know if it accidentally fried her brain, but enjoyed the attention nonetheless.

"I'm surprised you're still cuddling her after that attack. Aren't you scared Pikachu will shock you again?" Dominic asked, confused.

"Well, she didn't mean to attack me. Besides, it was my own fault." Siesta said, looking down in guilt.

"Don't be like that. You wouldn't believe how many times Pikachu shocked me before she actually listened to me." Dominic said, trying to cheer the maid up. It seemed to work, as both her and Pikachu were laughing.

"Another job well done." Dominic thought as something hit his head. "Ow!" he exclaimed, rubbing his cranium. "WHO DID THAT!?" Looking around, he saw Guiche, Verdanti, Tabitha, Sylphid, Kirche, and Flame. Each of them had a shocked look on their face, even the bluenette. "Whatever's going on here, cut it out!" the blonde scolded as he walked back to the kitchen. He wasn't going to deal with this on an empty stomach.

"So, should we tell him Flame set his hair on fire?" Guiche nervously asked once his fellow blonde was out of earshot.

"Safer if we don't." Tabitha said, curious about the strange power she felt from the Pokemon Trainer.


I'll admit, this has little in terms of story. The only reason I wrote this was because I needed a segue into the "Meeting Henrietta" chapter.

(P.S. The Pikachu in this chapter is a Cosplay Pikachu from Hoenn.)

(P.P.S. Dominic's Zoroark is Shiny.)

(P.P.P.S. Sorry, ultima-owner, but there aren't any Pokemon in the Vault.)